The Arizona sentinel., 1887-04-16

Handsome teet-COOd l3aDies-HOuSe Dec
 Oratlons-SimPlicity of Dress-Crema-
 ton Very Common-Public Gus
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 bIe Music.
 "The Japanese are remarkable fol the beauty of their feet" said Prof Ed ward S. Morse in his lecture on Japan, Csc life and customs. ''It is quite z common sight to see them bare-footed about their homes, and the practice is 2 characteristic of all classes, high and low I remember once visiting noble. man at his house, and he received me bare-footed. His dress and personal habiliments were exceedingly gorge ous."
 The professor held up for inspection two pair of shoes worn by the inhab- itants of the Mikado islands. They were about the length of an ordinary sized foot and some three inches wide. The wood was light and grainless. Prof Morse explained that the stocking worn by these people is scanned so that an apartment is left for the big toe, like the thumb of a mitten. The straps that hold the sandals to the feet are passed over the instep and between the large toe and the others. Little children are seen with these awkward sandals upon their feet" continued the speaker, strap ped to the back of some young girl. Sometimes the little one goes to sleep and to illustrate the activity of the toe, the sandal remaIns suspended to the foot. The girl carries the infant about as she plays at battle-door and shuttle cock. Occasionally the infant cries, but it is a rare occurrence; indeed one might remain six months in Japan without seeing baby ill-natured. Among the lower classes crying child is supposed to be possessed of an evil spirit. An irritant plaster is put upon the child's back to draw out the evil being. The large children always car " something about. If there is no baby in the family, then a cat is brought into acquisition. And let me say right here that the Japanese do not eat cats or rats, as is generally sup posed. They do, however eat mon- keys.
 "An extraordinary feature of Japan is its houses. All the homes are low, one-story structures, unpainted and rather unpreposessing. The attractive part of a Japanese house is in the rear. The front part of the house is not orna- mented, but all fancy decorations are to be found facing the garden. The rear of all the houses being so adorned, many lovely courts are thus in vogue. A Japanese garden is beautiful all the year round. must speak good word for the simplicity and taste manifested in the interior of a Japanese home. We decorate our mansions with costly en- frances and countless bric-a-brac. We even stick Rogers group in the front window so that pedestrians may know we possess a piece of statuary. And right here wish to remark that the place for a statuette is at the back of the room, with the light striking it from the side. In Japan simplicity and elegance characterizes interiors There will be one painting of splendid work manship. When the household wearies of the work another picture is sub stituted.
 .1 had expected to find the women in Japan dressed in bright and gay gowns. The fairs in this country and other depictions of Japanese womenled 1ne to expect this. Twas disappointed, for though. some of the colors in dress fabrics are positive, the rule is some simple shade or tint. I observed, too, that the children at school were mod estly and simply attired, and especially was it so of the sons and daughters of the nobility. Upon investigation I learned that from time immemorial it had been the practice of wealthy peo- pie to dress their children in an unos- tentatious manner so that no contrast could be instituted between them and the young of the poorer classes. This is sentiment in good many other features of social Japan.
 Their temples with their bright colored woodwork, rich and intricate carving and elaborate metal trimmings form a wonderful contrast with the homes of the people. Within is a strange medley of curious things: Old armor, Buddhist idols and other quaint and remarkable things. I remember that in one temple was hung a Photographic picture of the steamer City of China. It seems that this steamer years ago had rescued three mariners, and returned them to the island. In honor to the kindness, for Japan was not then on terms of peace with the civilized world, litho- graph of the steamer was procured by order of the priests, and it was framed and hung upon the walls as a monu- ment of a good action. These temples are set usually in primeval forests, and the religion of Buddhism resembles the Catholic faith in a good many respects.